Join the National Library Service (NLS) for the Many Faces of BARD program on Thursday, April 11, at 6:00 p.m. (Central). NLS will provide an introduction and demonstration of the new BARD 2.0.
BARD stands for Braille and Audio Reading Download service and is a registered trademark for the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled.
Registration is not required. The session is scheduled for one hour with time for questions. Click on the link to join: https://tinyurl.com/bdcftz98
Join the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled’s podcast on Friday, February 23, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. (Central). Host Ashley Biggs will explore the amazing features and benefits of NFB-NEWSLINE, a free audio and braille information service for anyone who is blind, low-vision, deafblind, or otherwise print-disabled.
Ashley will be joined by Scott White, the Director of Sponsored Technology Programs for the National Federation of the Blind, who will share his insights and expertise on NFB-NEWSLINE and how it can enhance your access to information, entertainment, and independence.
NFB-NEWSLINE offers access to more than five hundred publications, including newspapers, magazines, breaking news sources, online international newspapers, TV listings, job listings, retail ads, and more. You can access NFB-NEWSLINE through various methods, such as the touch-tone telephone, Apple iOS app, website, or Amazon Alexa, and customize your preferences and settings. This podcast is a great opportunity for you to learn more about NFB-NEWSLINE and ask questions.
If you want to sign up for this free service, contact the Texas Talking Book Program at 1-800-252-9605 or, if you have a non-Texas area code, at (512) 463-5458.
Whether you are a current subscriber or a new user, you will find this podcast informative and engaging. Join us on Friday, February 23, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. (Central). The details on how to join the Zoom presentation are listed below.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Join Zoom Meeting
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Dial in: 1-301-715-8592; Meeting ID: 577 017 8916#
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Join the NLS Engagement Section for its quarterly “Patron Corner” as they discuss Narration: The Art of Telling the Story. Guest speakers include Celeste Lawson, narrator and Head of the NLS Media Lab and other NLS narrators. This event will be a 90-minute panel discussion, so bring your questions and thoughts about digital audio narration.
The full Zoom invitation, including call-in numbers, is included below.
When you join this Zoom event, you will be in the waiting room until the program starts. When you enter the room, your phone or computer will be muted. Please stay on mute unless you are called on. If you want to ask a question, you may raise your hand by pressing Alt Y on your computer or Star 9 on your phone. Once you are called on, press Alt A on your computer or Star 6 on your phone to unmute yourself.
This meeting will be recorded. If you do not wish to be recorded, we ask that you avoid speaking during the call. Also, please note that since we are using Zoom.gov for these sessions, if you choose to dial in, you must use the Zoom.gov phone numbers provided. The regular Zoom phone numbers will not allow access to the Zoom.gov IDs.
Zoom Meeting
One tap mobile: US: +16692545252, 1600983343# or +16468287666, 1600983343#
Meeting URL:
https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1600983343?pwd=VW9tRWtwY3BsdHRac0s2MmJkN0RCZz09
Meeting ID: 160 098 3343
Passcode: 164674
Join by Telephone
For higher quality, dial a number based on your current location. Dial:
US: +1 669 254 5252, or +1 646 828 7666, or +1 669 216 1590, or +1 551 285 1373
Meeting ID: 160 098 3343
Passcode: 164674
SIP: 1600983343@sip.zoomgov.com
Passcode: 164674
Skype for Business (Lync)
https://loc.zoomgov.com/skype/1600983343
The National Library Service’s (NLS) Patron Engagement Section will be offering a monthly program called “The Many Faces of BARD”. The program will take place the second Thursday each month at 6 p.m. (CDT). Each hour long session will begin with a brief presentation and cover one aspect of BARD use. The program will end with a question-and-answer portion.
Sessions are open to all patrons. Join by visiting https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1611161911?pwd=bVh5ejFsWFBlL21KY0VqaHlRMUlSQT09 on a computer or by calling 1-669-245-5252. Full Zoom invitation information follows. To call into a session, participants must use the telephone numbers provided here for Zoom.gov.
Upon connecting, you will be placed in a virtual waiting room until the program begins. Upon enter the room, you will be on mute, and should remain on mute unless the host calls you to speak. At that time, you may unmute by using Alt-A from a computer or star 6 if dialing in by phone.
All Many Faces of BARD programs will be recorded. If you do not want to be on the recording, please refrain from speaking.
One tap mobile:
US: +16692545252,,1611161911# or +16468287666,,1611161911#
Meeting URL:
https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1611161911?pwd=bVh5ejFsWFBlL21KY0VqaHlRMUlSQT09
Meeting ID: 161 116 1911
Passcode:489758
Join by Telephone
For higher quality, dial a number based on your current location.
Dial: US: +1 669 254 5252 or +1 646 828 7666 or +1 669 216 1590 or +1 551 285 1373
Meeting ID: 161 116 1911
Join from an H.323/SIP room system
H.323: 161.199.138.10 (US West)
161.199.136.10 (US East)
Meeting ID: 161 116 1911
Passcode: 489758
SIP: 1611161911@sip.zoomgov.com
Passcode: 489758
Skype for Business (Lync)
On June 13, at 6:00 p.m. (CDT), the Patron Engagement Section at the National Library Service (NLS) for the Blind and Print Disabled at the Library of Congress will hold the first program as part of their Patron Corner programming. Each quarterly program will provide an opportunity for patrons to learn more about various services directly from NLS staff. The program will be interactive, last for one hour, and have a designated topic of discussion. The topic for the June 13 session is: Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Collection Selection but Did Not Have the Vehicle to Ask. Patrons will meet members of the Collections Division at NLS who are responsible for selecting the books in the NLS collection. Bring your questions and your thoughts about the NLS collection and join us at https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1600983343?pwd=VW9tRWtwY3BsdHRac0s2MmJkN0RCZz09. The full Zoom invitation, including call-in numbers, is included below.
When join the Zoom event, you will be in the waiting room until the program starts. When you enter the room, your phone or computer will be muted. Please stay on mute unless you are called on. If you want to ask a question, you may raise your hand by pressing Alt Y on your computer or Star 9 on your phone. Once you are called on, press Alt A on your computer or Star 6 on your phone to unmute yourself. Please note, this meeting will be recorded. If you do not wish to be recorded, we ask that you avoid speaking during the session.
Join Zoom Meeting
One tap mobile: US: +16692545252,,1600983343# or +16468287666,,1600983343#
Meeting URL: https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1600983343?pwd=VW9tRWtwY3BsdHRac0s2MmJkN0RCZz09
Meeting ID: 160 098 3343
Passcode: 164674
Join by Telephone
For higher quality, dial a number based on your current location.
Dial:
US: ++16692545252,,1600983343# or +16468287666,,1600983343#
Meeting ID: 160 098 3343
International numbers
Join from an H.323/SIP room system
H.323: 161.199.138.10 (US West)
161.199.136.10 (US East)
Meeting ID: 160 098 3343
Passcode: 164674
SIP: 1600983343@sip.zoomgov.com
Passcode: 164674
The NLS Reading Technology Advisory Group (RTAG) needs new members! RTAG meets twice a year to provide feedback on new NLS products and initiatives. Currently, RTAG is focused on updates to BARD, the Braille eReader project, and a “smart speaker” voice-controlled device. Each of these initiatives will have its own working group within RTAG. Meetings—to be attended online—will resume in fall 2020. Although RTAG members can be network library staff, hardware repair volunteers, and other subject matter experts, NLS patrons are especially encouraged to apply to join RTAG. For questions, please contact your local network library or email questions directly to NLS-RTAG@loc.gov. Applications—a statement of your background and qualifications (no more than two pages)—should be submitted to NLS-RTAG@loc.gov by Wednesday, September 30.
The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) produces minibibliographies to assist staff at cooperating libraries with finding books for local patrons. These minibiographies are bibliographies based on subjects that are narrow in scope. They cover such topics as: prize winners, hobbies, and famous people, to name a few.
Here is a link to a full listing of NLS minibiographies: https://www.loc.gov/nls/braille-audio-reading-materials/lists-nls-produced-books-topic-genre/listings-on-narrow-topics-minibibliographies/
Recently, NLS has produced a minibibliography on changemakers. Changemakers are those people who by their words and actions have made the world a more accessible place for those with disabilities. Some changemakers have fought to make services available to all people regardless of disability. Others have excelled at a sport, an occupation, or an artistic endeavor previously denied to or under-represented by those alternatively abled.
The Changemakers minibibliography is organized alphabetically by subject or area in which the changemaker excelled or made their mark. Some subjects include: Academia, Science, and Service to Blind Individuals.
A couple of Changemakers listed in the minibibliography are Texans: Christine Ha, located under the heading “Food” and Larry Johnson, located under the heading “Media” are both examples of changemakers from the Lone Star State.
To learn more here is a link to NLS’ minibibliography on Changemakers: https://www.loc.gov/nls/braille-audio-reading-materials/lists-nls-produced-books-topic-genre/listings-on-narrow-topics-minibibliographies/changemakers/
NLS has produced three short testimonial videos featuring patrons of the Braille and talking book program. These videos are posted on the Library of Congress YouTube channel. Links with a short description of each video are below.
NLS Braille and Talking Books and Magazines
NLS patrons speak about the benefits of receiving free braille and talking books, magazines, and music materials in the mail: the freedom to read their way. (1:50)
NLS BARD and BARD Mobile
Patrons speak about the benefits of downloading free braille and talking books, magazines, and music materials through the NLS Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) and BARD Mobile. (1:55)
NLS Music Materials
Patrons speak about the benefits of receiving free audio, braille, and large-print music scores, texts, and other instructional materials and recordings in the mail or downloading them through BARD. (2:26)